Colombia leads kidnap league

Travellers are facing greater risk of kidnap, ransom and even murder, according to a worldwide survey that shows kidnappings for ransom reached record levels last year.

The worst country was again identified as Colombia, followed by Mexico and the former republics of the Soviet Union. In 1999 the total number of reported kidnappings for ransom increased to 1,789, up from 1,690 in 1998, a rise of 6 per cent. More than 90 per cent of those incidents took place in the 10 riskiest countries. Most in danger are businessmen, who are considered lucrative targets.

The survey was published as Alistair Taylor, a Scottish oil worker abducted in Colombia last year, faced his ninth month in captivity. Mr Taylor, 44, was kidnapped by gunmen in Yopal, the capital of the province of Casanare. The Foreign Office said yesterday it was in contact with the Colombian government. His employers are in touch with his kidnappers.

Latin America is still the most likely region in which to be kidnapped, accounting for more than 27 per cent of all incidents last year. The former republics of the Soviet Union also had record levels with an increase of 84 per cent on 1998.

Worldwide, the past eight years have seen reported kidnappings for ransom rise by 70 per cent. The total number of kidnappings is likely to be higher, because many incidents - particularly in developing countries - go unreported and are dealt with privately.

The survey is compiled by Hiscox, an insurance firm linked with the Control Risks group, the kidnap negotiation specialists set up by former SAS officers.

Rob Davies, the senior special risks underwriter at Hiscox, said: "Despite the rise, the increase has not been as pronounced as in recent years, possibly as business travellers are more aware of dangers."